Switch controlled electric light socket



Oct. 3, 1950 A. TISCIONE 2,524,496 swrrcn CONTROLLED ELECTRIC LIGHTSOCKET Filed Sept. 27, 1946 [Man/am INVENTOH ANTHCNV TISCIONE 157 1'].

BY W

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES Artur FFICE' swrrcnCONTROLLED ELECTRIC LIGHT sooner 3 Claims. 1

The present invention concerns a switch controlled electric light socketand refers more particularly to a socket of novel form wherein theelectric wires are held with a minimum of fastening means and contact ismade between the wires through the electric lamp and a minimum ofelectric switch gear. This present socket is an improvement of my socketdescribed in copending application Serial No. 638,804, filed January 3,.1946, now Patent No. 2,466,566, April 5, 1949,.

One of th objects of the invention is to provide a switch wherein themovable switch member establishes electrical contact directly with anelectrical conductor wire by a turning movement, and this movable memberis constructed with a metallic conductor sheath and a slot whichprovides the interruption of the circuit connection when the member isturned, or moved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric lightsocket which does not require screws for the attachment of the wiresthereto.

A further object is to provide a socket with a dilferent and simplerswitch member.

Still another object is that the socket may be quickly installed.

Another and further object is that the socket be simple to operate andrugged use.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying dr w n forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the light socketconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is another side elevation the right-hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a verticalsect-ional view taken on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 2,.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective :view of the witch member per .se. 7

Big. '7 a perspective view of the light socket construc ed n accordancewith a modification of the invention.

looking from Fig. .8 is an enlarged section .on the line B-Q'B of Fig.7.

Fig. :9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. is a vertical sectional view of the light socket constructed inaccordance with another form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the switch member used in the form ofthe invention shown in Fig. 1 0..

The switch controlled light socket, according to the form of theinvention shown inFigs. 1 to 6, includes a socket 29 which comprises acylindrical body 2i onto which a disc-like floor piece 22 with anupwardly extending flange 23 is snap fitted 'bythe flange. The body 2|is composed of insulating or dielectric material and is formed internalthreads 2'4 for the reception of the threaded base of a lamp. Anelectric lead wire is ledinto the side wall of socket body '21 extendingtangentially of the threaded bore and extending thereinto through atangentially extending hole 26 which interrupts the threads 24 on theirmajor diameter. Lead wire 25 is thus adapted to contact an electric lampscrewed into the threads 24. A second lead wire 21 is led into socketbody 2| and lies flat along the floor piece 2 2 crossing the axis of thebody 21.

The switch member 28 comprises a substantially cylindrical body ofinsulating material 29 such as dielectric plastic or ceramic encased forfor about two-thirds or three-quarters of its circumference inconducting material 30, such as copper or other metal. The switch member28 has an exposed shaft portion 3|, a knurled handie portion 32 and aportion 33 square in cross .section adjacent the exposed shaft portion31 and extends radially from the body the wall thereof.

The exposed shaft portion 3! turns in a hearing hole formed in thecylindrical body 2|, and the cylindrical body 28 extends through ahearing 34 secured in the floor 22. The squared end portion 33 of thisswitch body 28 engages the opposed springs 35, secured in the floor 22.The metal or copper sheath 3i] is formed with a longitudinal slot 36'which exposes a portion of the insulating core 29 of the rotaryswitchelement'ZB.

The electrical conductor wire 25 is stripped of its insulation andextended through the body 2i, so that its metallic surface will haveelectrically conductive engagement with the threaded shell of anelectrical lamp socket threaded into the socket 2.6. The rotary switch'28 is disposed inparallel relation to the-hole which receives theconductor wire, and this wire is stripped 01 2| through its insulation,and connected to the springs 35. When the switch 28 is turned so thatthe conductor sheath 30 has electrical contact with the centralelectrode of the lamp, a circuit will be closed through the lamp coupledto the socket 24. When the switch 28 is turned so that the slot 30'thereof will be disposed in opposition to the central electrode of thelamp, the circuit will be broken, because this conical central lampelectrode will not have electrical conductive contact with the metal orcopper sheath 30.

In a modified form of the invention shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, themechanism of the previous form of the invention is incorporated andadded to as follows:

The extended end of the shaft portion 3| of switch 28 has mountedthereon a ratchet 40 in the shape of a four pointed star. Revolublymounted on shaft 3| is a pawl housing 42 having a flange 43 extendingoutwardly around the ratchet 4B. A pawl pivot 44 is mounted in the pawlhousing 42 and extended parallel to the shaft'portion 3| and on the ivot40 there is mounted a pawl 45. A housing cover 46 is attached in anywell known manner to the flange 43 and an arm 41 there is attached tocover 46. At the free end of arm 41 is attached a chain 48 or any otherflexible member and also there is attached an extension coil spring 49anchored to a lug 49 on the body 2|. Upon pulling chain ,48 downward,the shaft portion 3| will be caused to be revolved counterclockwise ofFig. '7 operating switch 28 as described in connection with the previousembodiment of the invention. Upon release of the chain 48, the arm 41will be retracted to the elevated position and the pawl 45 will engagethe next succeeding tooth of the ratchet 4n clockwise of Fig. 8 and thecycle of operation may be repeated. It is notable that proper operationof the pawl 45 and the ratchet 40 is assured by the springs 35 inresilient contact with the square portion 33 of the switch 28.

A further modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 inwhich a socket 50 has a lead wire led into the outer diameter of threads52 formed in the socket 5!] and extending tangentially thereinto. Afurther lead wire 53 is led into the socket 50 and extends along thefloor portion 54 thereof. A switch member 55 comprises a generallycylindrical body 55 of insulating material surrounded by a shell ofconductive material 51 extending along the bottom thereof and aroundpart of the top thereof, leaving a portion 56 of the body 56 exposed. Areduced neck portion 58 is journaled in the socket 50 extendingtherethrough and terminating in a knurled knob 59.

At the other end of the switch member 55, a reduced axle portion 6!!extends therefrom and is journaled in a bearing 62. A button 63 ofgenerally conical shape extends downward from the switch member 55 andis resiliently contacted by a spring 64, preferably of U-shape, one ofthe legs thereof being fastened to the floor portion 54 and the otherextending against the body of switch 55.

' The conductive shell 51 of the switch member 55 is in electricalcontact with lead wire 53 at all times and also in contact with lamp B5in the on position of the switch (illustrated in Fig. which is reachedby pulling the switch member 55 to the left of Fig. 10. In so doing,spring 64 is compressed by button 63 during the first half of suchmovement and during the second half thereof is unloading and adding tothe speed of movement of the switch member 55. When the switch member 55is in its leftmost position, the conductive shell 51 is in electricalcontact with lamp 65 as well as with lead wire 53, thus completing anelectrical circuit through lamp 65 back to lead wire 5| with which thelamp 65 is in contact.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric light socket having a hollow socket body into one endof which a lamp having an end contact is screwed and the other end ofwhich is closed by a Wall, switch means within the socket body formaking and breaking electrical contact with the end contact of the lamp,comprising a cylindrical body of insulation material within the socketbody and engaging the end contact of the lamp and with its axis extendedat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lamp, a shell ofconductive material mounted on said cylindrical body and extended alongthe bottom thereof and around part of the top thereof leaving a portionof said cylindrical body exposed, an electric lead extended into thesocket body and connected to said shell, and means supporting said bodyfor longitudinal slidable but non-rotative movement between a positionin which the portion of said shell which extends across the top of saidcylindrical body makes electrical contact with the end contact of thelamp or a second position in which the exposed portion of saidcylindrical body contacts the end contact of the lamp, said supportingmeans comprising a reduced neck portion formed on one end of saidcylindrical body and slidably extended through the side of the socketbody, a bearing mounted on'the end wall of the socket body adjacent theother end of said cylindrical body, and a reduced axle portion formed onthe other end of said cylindrical body and slidably enga ed in saidbearing.

2. In an electric light socket having a hollow socket body into one endof which a lamp having an end contact is screwed and the other end ofwhich is closed by a wall, switch means within the socket body formaking and breaking electrical contact with the end contact of the lamp,comprising a cylindrical body of insulation material within the socketbody and engaging the end contact of the lamp and with its axis extendedat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lamp, a shell ofconductive material mounted on said cylindrical body and extended alongthe bottom thereof and around part of the top thereof leaving a portionof said cylindrical body exposed, an electric lead extended into thesocket body and connected to said shell, and means supporting said bodyfor longitudinal slidable but non-rotative movement between a positionin which the portion of said shell which extends across the top of saidcylindrical body makes electrical contact with the end contact of thelamp or a second position in which the exposed portion of saidcylindrical body contacts the end contact of the lamp, said supportingmeans comprising a reduced neck portion formed on one end of saidcylindrical body and slidably extended through the side of the socketbody, a bearing mounted on the end wall of the socket body adjacent theother end of said cylindrical body, and a reduced axle portion formed onthe other end of said cylindrical body and slidably engaged in saidbearing, and a knob mounted on the outer end of said reduced neckportion by which said cylindrical body may be moved between its twoextreme positions.

3. In an electric light socket having a hollow socket body into one endof which a lamp having an end contact is screwed and the other end ofwhich is closed by a wall, switch means within the socket body formaking and breaking electrical contact with the end contact of the lamp,comprising a cylindrical body of insulation material within the socketbody and engaging the end contact of the lamp and with its axis extendedat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lamp, a shell ofconductive material mounted on said cylindrical body and extended alongthe bottom thereof and around part of the top thereof leaving a portionof said cylindrical body exposed, an electric lead extended into thesocket body and connected to said shell, and means supporting said bodyfor longitudinal slidable but non-rotative movement between a positionin which the portion of said shell which extends across the top of saidcylindrical body makes electrical contact with the end contact of thelamp or a second position in which the exposed portion of saidcylindrical body contacts the end contact of the lamp, a conical buttonmounted on the bottom of said cylindrical body with its apex extendedtoward the end wall of the socket body and sprint, mounted on the endwall of the socket body and engaging said conical button on one side ofits apex, whereby when movement of said cylindrical body from oneposition to the other is started such movement will be retarded by saidspring until the apex of said conical button passes said spring afterwhich movement of said cylindrical body will be accelerated by saidspring.

ANTHONY TISCIONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 984,053 Weber Feb. 14, 19111,314,050 Douglas Aug. 26, 1919 1,702,655 Mayer Feb. 19, 1929 1,803,849Elwell May 5, 1931 25 1,810,455 Wolfe June 16, 1931 1,835,566 HerseeDec. 8, 1931 1,837,900 Ekstrand Dec. 22, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 30 NumberCountry Date 7,530 Great Britain Apr. 16, 1894 318,953 Germany Feb. 26,1920

